Heloise: Fluff up carpets with warm water, hair dryer

DEAR HELOISE: We have deep indentations in our carpet after we moved several pieces of furniture, and we need to know how to restore these areas. — Alice, via email

Alice, here are a few options to try on the carpet:

Take a spray bottle and fill it with warm water. Spray the areas of carpet until they are damp. With a hair dryer, blow warm air over the area while fluffing up the carpet with your fingers.

You also can place an ice cube in each dent. Let the ice slowly melt, and fluff the fibers every so often with your fingers.

A steam iron or clothes steamer might work as well. Just be careful, and never touch the carpet with the iron. — Heloise

DEAR READERS: Other uses for a plastic gum container that fits in a cup holder:

■ Decorate and use as a small vase.

■ Add water, freeze and use in an ice chest.

■ Keep in a car to hold change.

■ Use as a water cup for small pets.

■ Use as a pencil-and-pen cup.

Do you recycle plastic gum containers, or any plastic containers? Write and tell me what you do with them. — Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I have five children who are now long past the toddler stage, but I still remember what it is like to have an antsy toddler in a restaurant.

The problem, as I see it, is that you use up all of a toddler’s good behavior while waiting for your food. My solution to this is to take him or her for a walk after you order your food.

Obviously, keeping out of the way of employees and other diners is a priority, but mothers of toddlers are used to thinking on their feet.

Even the most kid-unfriendly restaurant has a parking lot. Standing on the sidewalk and discussing car colors can use up a few minutes. I always tried to get back to the table just when the food arrived. My toddler usually would be ready to eat quietly, and I would be able to enjoy my meal. — April, via email

HELOISEis a syndicated columnist with King Features Syndicate, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio 78279-5000, fax 210-HELOISE.